U.S. Construction Shifts Into Second Tier

Real-Estate Recovery Is Spreading Beyond a Handful of Cities

Construction projects in cities across the country that stalled during the economic downturn now are getting the green light, an indication that the real-estate recovery is spreading beyond a handful of urban areas.

The construction of office buildings, hotels and apartment buildings picked up in New York, San Francisco and Boston several years ago. Now activity is spreading to Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas and a number of other...